[Septic system] Sand mound question

[Don Rickles]

Our house has on an onsite septic system with storage tanks and an elevated sand mound. The system was put in completely new in '92. Over the last 30+ years we have had the tanks emptied regularly, the company actually asked us to wait longer between cleanings.

Starting last season I noticed a few spot that were wet with the grass 10x taller in these areas. The horizontal piping must have clogged holes and I'm asking if anyone has a recommendation to clean out the piping without replacing the entire top of the sand mound.....(which would likely require permits and inspections and mo money.....

[Tikiman]

Rid-Ex four times a year. Just dump it down your toilet and flush. I have a large drain field but was starting to notice some of the same things you mentioned. Rid-Ex cleared it right up. That was at least five or six years ago and I have had no issues since. I also flush any mice that I happen to catch in traps. Your system needs bacteria to function correctly.

[Don Rickles]

Originally Posted by Tikiman

Rid-Ex four times a year. Just dump it down your toilet and flush. I have a large drain field but was starting to notice some of the same things you mentioned. Rid-Ex cleared it right up. That was at least five or six years ago and I have had no issues since. I also flush any mice that I happen to catch in traps. Your system needs bacteria to function correctly.

I'll start to look at that!!!

I was thinking that having the piping system cleaned with high pressure air? Your suggestion is way easier!!!

[Don Rickles]

Liquid or powder?

[Bruze]

They should be able to roto-root clogged leech lines, if that is actually the problem. They told you to not call them as often -- so don't, let it cook longer.

This is Old School, but maybe science has changed:

Nothing should go into a septic system except toilet water, human waste, and white toilet paper.

That will give you all the proper bacteria needed for long-lasting function. You don't need yeast or anything else. Everything should decompose (if the system is properly sized per people using it) except "solids" (and I don't mean turds).

There can be problems with modern toilets that only flush 1.6 GPF or less of water. For proper "cooking" it might not be enough water going into the septic.

But ask your turd guy, don't listen to anyone on the internet.

[6spdC6]

As a now retired plumber I note for most people RidX is just a lot of hype. A good running septic systen gets plenty of bacteria, every shit puts in plenty.!

[Don Rickles]

There never has been any issues with forming the correct bacteria colony. The mounds piping I think has holes clogged in places, forcing the waste water to the few holes that are remaining opened…? I’ll make a call to the local shit company.

We do try to reduce any foods from going down the drain but still rinsing off the dishes does deposit small amounts of solids. The system is over sized from what I’m told with 2 double compartment 2500 tanks in line then to the field. I can’t think any solids have made it to the piping but likely……

[Bruze]

Originally Posted by Don Rickles

There never has been any issues with forming the correct bacteria colony. The mounds piping I think has holes clogged in places, forcing the waste water to the few holes that are remaining opened…? I’ll make a call to the local shit company.

We do try to reduce any foods from going down the drain but still rinsing off the dishes does deposit small amounts of solids. The system is over sized from what I’m told with 2 double compartment 2500 tanks in line then to the field. I can’t think any solids have made it to the piping but likely……

Red: Then you don't need to add anything.

By "solids" I mean anything that will not biologically decompose any further. In a properly running system, this is mostly what has to be pumped. Use your imagination. Just guessing on the definition here, but I would think it would be maybe molecules from turds or toilet paper that are not organic.

If the kitchen sink goes into it then the build-up of grease could be a problem -- it should have a grease trap. I'm assuming if the system is only 30 years old, then it probably does -- have they cleaned that? Bits of food should decompose the same as waste. The grease will too, but it can solidify and clog things before that.

[Red Baron]

Originally Posted by Don Rickles

There never has been any issues with forming the correct bacteria colony. The mounds piping I think has holes clogged in places, forcing the waste water to the few holes that are remaining opened…? I’ll make a call to the local shit company.

We do try to reduce any foods from going down the drain but still rinsing off the dishes does deposit small amounts of solids. The system is over sized from what I’m told with 2 double compartment 2500 tanks in line then to the field. I can’t think any solids have made it to the piping but likely……

Stop holding so many Kiddushes and flushing pickled herring down the pot at your home.

[Bruze]

Originally Posted by Red Baron

Stop holding so many Kiddushes and flushing pickled herring down the pot at your home.

[Tikiman]

I worry about all the anti-bacterial soaps that we use nowadays affecting the function of the septic tank. Perhaps this is nothing to really worry about, but pouring 1/4 bottle of Rid-Ex down a toilet every three months seems to keep my system working well.

[Bruze]

Originally Posted by Tikiman

I worry about all the anti-bacterial soaps that we use nowadays affecting the function of the septic tank. Perhaps this is nothing to really worry about, but pouring 1/4 bottle of Rid-Ex down a toilet every three months seems to keep my system working well.

Every Friday morning when I get up I stand on my head and spit 4 purple jelly beans, and I've never had any problems with my septic system.

Therefore, standing on your head every Friday morning and spitting 4 purple jelly beans will prevent problems with the septic system.

[Red Baron]

I tried Rid-X, but she keeps calling me.

[Red Baron]

Originally Posted by Bruze

Attachment 99402

I'll see your Vlasic, and raise you one...

[Tikiman]

Originally Posted by Bruze

Every Friday morning when I get up I stand on my head and spit 4 purple jelly beans, and I've never had any problems with my septic system.

Therefore, standing on your head every Friday morning and spitting 4 purple jelly beans will prevent problems with the septic system.

I get your point, but I was having an issue about six years ago. I noticed wet spots in my back yard where the grass was growing unevenly. It appeared to coincide with the drain lines that are visible whenever we have a drought. I tried several applications of Rid-Ex and the problem cleared up.

[Don Rickles]

OK I made the call to the guy that I’ve been doing business with for over 30 years. His son actually is now running the company. They both have memories like an elephant. When my system was installed in the early 90s they never installed cleanout. So my local guy is going to come out he’s going to install Shut offs and clean outs. Then using high pressure, water and air. He will blow out all the piping. The estimated quote is 875. But I’m thinking maybe I should wait until things dry out a little bit more to reduce the damage to my yard?

One more thing, I forgot to add, is the insert a large pipe cleaner for lack of a better word, and scrub all the pipes out to ensure that all the holes are cleared

[Yadkin]

Originally Posted by Tikiman

Rid-Ex four times a year. Just dump it down your toilet and flush. I have a large drain field but was starting to notice some of the same things you mentioned. Rid-Ex cleared it right up. That was at least five or six years ago and I have had no issues since. I also flush any mice that I happen to catch in traps. Your system needs bacteria to function correctly.

Don't.

[DJ_Critterus]

Call Winston Rothschild's Septic and Sewage Sucking Services. You make the deposit, and he'll make the withdrawal

YouTube (Short URL)

[Red Baron]

Originally Posted by Don Rickles

OK I made the call to the guy that I’ve been doing business with for over 30 years. His son actually is now running the company. They both have memories like an elephant. When my system was installed in the early 90s they never installed cleanout. So my local guy is going to come out he’s going to install Shut offs and clean outs. Then using high pressure, water and air. He will blow out all the piping. The estimated quote is 875. But I’m thinking maybe I should wait until things dry out a little bit more to reduce the damage to my yard?

One more thing, I forgot to add, is the insert a large pipe cleaner for lack of a better word, and scrub all the pipes out to ensure that all the holes are cleared

Okay, so be on the lookout for the truck. It's gonna look like this here...

[Tikiman]

Originally Posted by Yadkin

Don't.

Don't what?